. >> reporter: house majority leader john boehner and senate minority leader mitch mcconnell were in the capital building today hoping to beat the deadline to the luge "fiscal cliff." >> got to get a deal? >> hope so. >> reporter: behind closed doors, senate leaders are cobbling together a pared down agreement that at least protects the middle class from tax increases january 1. it won't address deficit resit, across-the-board spending cuts or other issues. in both party addresses, it's clear a big sticking point remains. >> it's a balanced plan one that would protect the middle class, cut spending in a responsible way, and ask the wealthiest americans to pay more. >> the president's tax hike would only fund the government for 8 days. americans deserve to know what is the president proposing we do for the other 357 days of the year? >> reporter: both the house and the senate will be in session tomorrow. the senate is expected to take the lead and vote on the scaled back bill. then send it to the house. as many americans brace for the worst, patience is running out. >> they're playing